Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Name These Basic Chemical Compounds?

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: Getty Images

About This Quiz

Are you going to have a positive or negative reaction to this chemical quiz?

From our bodies to the food that we eat and the things in our surroundings, chemical compounds are quite literally a part of basically everything in the world around us. While at first glance the topic of chemical compounds may seem like a subject that is needlessly complex and difficult to grasp, there are actually countless basic chemical compounds that we interact with on a day to day basis. Some examples of these basic chemical compounds include; water, salt, alcohol, propane, sugar, and caffeine. There are dozens of these basic chemical compounds from which to choose. However, we've managed to gather a diverse selection of 40 of them for this quiz.

Even if you're not an actual chemist, medical professional, or a science major, most people have probably heard of many of these basic chemical compounds in their everyday life. So are you ready to prove that you've got what it takes to be a chemistry superstar? Then let's see if you're capable of having a chemical reaction with the correct answers from our basic chemical compounds quiz! Pull out your beakers, your test tubes, and your stirrers, and let's get started!

Zoo.com

Which chemical compound is in this image?

water

sodium hypochlorite

glycerol

ascorbic acid

Water is a basic chemical substance that is important to human life, both biologically and economically. Water covers over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface.

Zoo.com

Do you know the name of the basic compound in this image?

hydrochloric acid

silicon dioxide

propane

methanol

Propane is a basic chemical compound that is one of several liquefied petroleum gases. It is used as a source of fuel for cooking, particularly in barbecues.

Zoo.com

Which chemical compound is in this picture?

camphor

caffeine

sulfuric acid

sodium fluoride

Sodium fluoride is a basic chemical compound that is denoted by the formula NaF. It is used as a cleaning agent and for dental health as well.

Zoo.com

The basic chemical compound in this picture goes by what name?

ethanol

ammonia

ammonium bifluoride

magnesium silicate

Ammonium bifluoride is a basic chemical compound that is produced from ammonia and hydrogen fluoride. It has been used as a rust stain remover, toilet bowl cleaner, and car body cleaner.

Zoo.com

Which basic chemical compound is featured in this image?

ammonium carbonate

sucrose

butane

calcium sulfate

Sucrose is a basic chemical compound that is produced naturally in plants. It is extracted and refined from both sugar cane and sugar beet.

Zoo.com

Do you know the name of this chemical compound?

ascorbic acid

lactic acid

sodium chloride

carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a basic chemical compound that is produced through several means, such as through the respiration process of many organisms. It is notable for being one of the primary causes of global warming.

Zoo.com

Do you know the basic compound that is pictured here?

methanol

fructose

carbonic acid

ammonium carbonate

Fructose is a basic chemical compound that is notable for being the most water-soluble of all the sugars. It is primarily found in honey, many root vegetables, berries, as well as tree and vine fruits. Yes, it's the same formula as glucose.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the chemical compound in this picture?

glucose

sulfuric acid

nitrous oxide

ethanol

Glucose is a basic chemical compound that is a simple sugar that is made during photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide. Yes, it's the same formula as fructose.

Zoo.com

Can you correctly name this chemical compound?

magnesium silicate

tartaric acid

acetone

camphor

Tartaric acid is a basic chemical compound that occurs naturally in various fruits, such as grapes, citrus, and bananas. It is most notable for developing naturally in the process of winemaking.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the chemical compound in this photo?

sodium chloride

calcium sulfate

hydrochloric acid

calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is the main component of the shells of marine organisms and snails, as well as pearls and eggs. It is also found in rocks like limestone.

Zoo.com

Can you correctly identify the chemical compound that is pictured here?

hydrogen peroxide

acetylsalicylic acid

water

sodium hypochlorite

Acetylsalicylic acid is a basic chemical compound that is known more commonly as aspirin. As a type of medication, it is used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation.

Zoo.com

What is the name of this basic compound?

boric acid

propane

magnesium hydroxide

acetone

Boric acid is a basic chemical compound that is actually a weak, monobasic Lewis acid of boron. It is notable for being primarily used as an insecticide and as an antiseptic.

Zoo.com

Do you know this basic chemical compound?

potassium nitrate

tartaric acid

cellulose

carbonic acid

Cellulose is a basic chemical compound that is found in the cells of green plants. It is primarily used in the production of paper and textiles like cotton and linen.

Zoo.com

This is a photo of what basic chemical compound?

ammonium bifluoride

phosphoric acid

acetic acid

nitrous oxide

Phosphoric acid is a basic chemical compound that is a weak non-toxic acid. It is primarily used as a rust remover and as a food additive.

Zoo.com

Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this photo?

sucrose

caffeine

naphthalene

lactic acid

Naphthalene is a basic chemical compound that is white crystalline solid. It is most commonly known as the main ingredient in mothballs.

Zoo.com

Do you know the basic compound in this picture?

carbon dioxide

acetylsalicylic acid

potassium nitrate

sodium carbonate

Sodium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. It is primarily used in the production of soaps, paper, glass, and detergents.

Zoo.com

Which chemical compound is in this photo?

fructose

phosphoric acid

acetic acid

ammonia

Acetic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also sometimes referred to as ethanoic acid. Vinegar can contain anywhere between 4 percent to 18 percent acetic acid.

Zoo.com

Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this image?

potassium nitrate

glucose

cellulose

sodium carbonate

Potassium nitrate is a basic chemical compound that is an ionic salt sometimes also referred to as saltpeter. It is used in fertilizers, fireworks, and as a food preservative.

V

Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this picture?

sodium fluoride

boric acid

silicon dioxide

magnesium hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is a basic chemical compound that can be found in nature as the mineral brucite. It is commonly used as a primary ingredient in antacids and laxatives.

Zoo.com

The basic chemical compound in this image goes by what name?

hydrogen peroxide

calcium carbonate

glycerol

naphthalene

Hydrogen peroxide is a basic chemical compound that is a pale blue, clear liquid. It is used as a bleaching agent, oxidizer, as well as an antiseptic.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the basic compound in this picture?

carbon dioxide

ascorbic acid

hydrogen peroxide

glycerol

Glycerol is a basic chemical compound that is a colorless and odorless liquid. It is commonly used as a sweetener in the food industry and also in several pharmaceutical products.

Zoo.com

Which basic chemical compound is featured here?

fructose

silicon dioxide

methanol

magnesium hydroxide

Silicon dioxide is a basic chemical compound that is found in several living organisms and also as quartz. It is also notable for being one of the main components of sand.

Zoo.com

This is an image of what basic chemical compound?

glucose

sulfuric acid

tartaric acid

caffeine

Caffeine is a basic chemical compound that is a central nervous system stimulant which is used in numerous beverages and foods. It is notable for being the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug,

Zoo.com

Do you know the chemical compound that is shown here?

sodium fluoride

ammonia

magnesium silicate

acetic acid

Ammonia is a basic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. It has several uses, including in fertilizers and as a household cleaner.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the basic compound in this image?

butane

calcium carbonate

calcium sulfate

sodium carbonate

Butane is a basic chemical compound that is actually a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It sees a lot of use worldwide as lighter fluid.

Zoo.com

Do you know the basic compound in this image?

water

sodium chloride

lactic acid

naphthalene

Lactic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also commonly referred to as milk acid. It is mainly found in sour milk products like yogurt and cottage cheese.

Zoo.com

This is a picture of what basic chemical compound?

hydrochloric acid

propane

nitrous oxide

phosphoric acid

Nitrous oxide is a basic chemical compound that is a colorless non-flammable gas. It is used in dentistry, surgery, and other medical instances. However, it is probably most popularly known for its use in motor racing.

Zoo.com

Do you know the name of the basic compound in this picture?

butane

carbonic acid

camphor

cellulose

Carbonic acid is a basic chemical compound that is a weak acid that forms two kinds of salts, carbonates and bicarbonates. It also leads to the formation of stalactites and stalagmites.

Zoo.com

Which chemical compound is pictured here?

acetone

ammonium bifluoride

ammonium carbonate

boric acid

Acetone is a basic chemical compound that is normally present in blood and urine. It is notably also used as a solvent for many plastics and some synthetic fibers.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the chemical compound in this image?

sucrose

ethanol

sodium hypochlorite

acetylsalicylic acid

Sodium hypochlorite is a basic chemical compound that is commonly used as a bleaching agent or disinfectant. When used in concentrated forms, it can actually be very hazardous to the skin and eyes.

Zoo.com

Which basic chemical compound is featured in this picture?

hydrogen peroxide

hydrochloric acid

nitrous oxide

calcium carbonate

Hydrochloric acid is a basic chemical compound that actually forms naturally in gastric acid. It is notable for having several uses, including as a food additive and in leather processing.

Zoo.com

Do you know the basic compound in this photo?

magnesium hydroxide

acetone

sodium fluoride

camphor

Camphor is a basic chemical compound that is notable for its flammable nature and strong aroma. Historically, it has had several culinary and medicinal uses.

Zoo.com

What is the name of this chemical compound?

tartaric acid

sodium hypochlorite

ethanol

glucose

Ethanol is a basic chemical compound that is a flammable and volatile colorless liquid. It is notable for being the primary type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks.

Zoo.com

Which basic chemical compound is featured in this photo?

acetic acid

carbonic acid

fructose

ammonium carbonate

Ammonium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is a salt commonly referred to as baker’s ammonia. It is most notably used as smelling salts and as a leavening agent.

Zoo.com

What is the name of the basic compound in this photo?

sodium carbonate

sodium chloride

lactic acid

carbon dioxide

Sodium chloride is a basic chemical compound that is commonly referred to simply as salt, table salt, or common salt. It is used worldwide as both a food preservative and a condiment.

Zoo.com

Do you know the name of this basic compound?

naphthalene

potassium nitrate

sucrose

calcium sulfate

Calcium sulfate is a basic chemical compound that is commonly referred to as plaster of Paris. It also notably occurs naturally as gypsum.

Zoo.com

The basic chemical compound in this photo goes by what name?

magnesium silicate

phosphoric acid

ammonia

ammonium bifluoride

Magnesium silicate is a basic chemical compound that is also known as the clay mineral, talc. It has several uses, including as a food additive and as baby powder.

Zoo.com

Which basic compound is pictured here?

cellulose

caffeine

sulfuric acid

butane

Sulfuric acid is a basic chemical compound that is odorless and soluble in water. It is primarily used in the manufacturing of fertilizer, the refining of oil, and wastewater processing.

Zoo.com

Do you know the name of the basic compound in this photo?

methanol

boric acid

silicon dioxide

propane

Methanol is a basic chemical compound that is notable for being the simplest alcohol. It is also notable for actually having a similar odor to drinking alcohol. However, it is far more toxic.

Zoo.com

Can you correctly identify this basic chemical compound?

acetylsalicylic acid

glycerol

ascorbic acid

water

Ascorbic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also more commonly known as vitamin C. It is found primarily in citrus fruits and is used to prevent and treat scurvy.

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